From where I sit in Washington, DC what’s wanted in a Kennedy successor is someone who’s:

(a) progressive,
(b) effective, and
(c) like to stay in office a long time and grow up to become a powerful committee chair

On (b) the fact that Coakley’s background in public service is entirely as a prosecutor rather than a legislator is a bit less than idea. On (c) she’s 56 which makes her younger than six of the Massachusetts House members. The exceptions are Steve Lynch, who’s 54 and anti-choice, and Jim McGovern who’s only 49. Women, of course, have an edge in the longevity department, and I don’t know anything about McGovern’s record.

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